PENNY Lancaster branded Gregg Wallace ‘a bad apple that needed removing.’

Her husband Rod Stewart previously slammed the MasterChef star after the BBC received complaints about his conduct.

Sir Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster at the WellChild Awards.
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Sir Rod Stewart slammed Gregg Wallace in defence of his wifeCredit: Getty

Greg Wallace on MasterChef.
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The MasterChef star stepped back from his role on the show after he received complaints about his conductCredit: BBC
Gregg Wallace, 60, previously stepped back from the long-running cooking show as the company behind MasterChef launched an investigation.

In a new interview, Penny, 53, has insisted that she is not put off doing more TV projects, but ‘bad apple‘ personalities need to be ‘removed’ from the industry.

She told the Mail Online: “The majority of the time, there are a lot of safeguarding put in place.

“I have the most incredible time on Loose Women – I always do, and I feel very supported, and on Strictly Come Dancing, I had a fantastic time there.

“Sometimes it’s just a bad apple, and that bad core needs to be removed.”

Greg Wallace decided to step back as an investigation into his behaviour was launched.

Sir Rod then hit out at the star for his alleged poor treatment of his wife.

In a furious rant online, he fumed: “So Greg Wallace gets fired from Master Chef.

“Good riddance Wallace… You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you?’

“You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart.

Previously, the model revealed doubts that she had about speaking up at the time of the investigation.

She admitted: “It is that bravery of ‘Maybe I am the only one? Maybe I won’t be taken seriously?’

“Then suddenly you have the backing and support of other people and you feel like you are going to be listened to.”

On Instagram, she added: ‘When you finally learn that a person’s behaviour has more to do with their own struggle than it ever did with you, you learn grace.’

Previously, Penny, 53, previously vowed not to speak publicly about her experience with Gregg but said she would co-operate with production company Banijay’s probe if approached.

She later opened up on her experience on Loose Women, saying that he used his position on set to ‘intimidate’ others working on Celebrity MasterChef.

“I really feel that he used his position of power to, I believe, intimidate and cause distress to a lot of people on set.”

She added: “It’s really unfortunate that someone like him’s allowed to get away with that, while others sort of stand by and let it happen at the same time.”

Penny Lancaster and Sir Rod Stewart at an event for The King's Foundation.
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Sir Rod called Gregg a ‘tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully’Credit: PA

Gregg Wallace wearing an OBE medal at Windsor Castle.
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Gregg Wallace strongly denied any wrongdoingCredit: AFP